[Federal Register: June 16, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 115)]
[Notices]
[Page 34154-34155]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jn10-83]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2010-N001; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Clark County, WA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: Draft comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our draft comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment (DCCP/EA) for the Ridgefield National Wildlife
Refuge (refuge), for public review and comment. The DCCP/EA describes
our alternatives, including our preferred alternative, for managing the
refuge for the 15 years following approval of the final CCP.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we need to receive your written
comments by July 16, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, requests for more information, or
requests for copies of the DCCP/EA, by any of the following methods.
E-mail: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Ridgefield NWR DCCP/
EA'' in the subject line.
Fax: Attn: Bob Flores, Project Leader, (360) 887-4109.
U.S. Mail: Bob Flores, Project Leader, Ridgefield National Wildlife
Refuge, P.O. Box 457, Ridgefield, WA 98642.
Web site: http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ridgefield; select
``Contact Us.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Flores, Project Leader, (360) 887-
4106.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
The refuge encompasses 5,218 acres along the lower Columbia River
in Clark County, WA. Habitat types on the refuge include seasonal,
semipermanent, and permanent wetlands; floodplain forests; managed
pastures; croplands; and oak woodlands. The refuge was established to
provide migration and wintering habitat for dusky Canada geese and
other waterfowl. It also provides important habitat for sandhill
cranes, waterbirds, migratory landbirds, and raptors.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to
develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for
achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of
fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Refuge Administration Act.
Public Outreach
We began public outreach by publishing a Notice of Intent in the
Federal Register (71 FR 43787; August 2, 2006), announcing our intent
to complete a CCP/EA and inviting public comments. In August 2006, we
distributed Planning Update 1 to our mailing list and public outlets.
On September 14 and 20, 2006, we held public scoping meetings in
Ridgefield and Vancouver, Washington, respectively, to meet the public
and obtain comments. The meetings were announced through local media
outlets, on the Refuge's Web site, and in Planning Update 1. In January
2007, we distributed Planning Update 2, which included a summary of the
comments we received, a planning schedule, and a description of the
CCP's scope. In March 2009, we distributed Planning Update 3; in it we
summarized our preliminary draft alternatives, requested public
comments, and invited the public to an open house. On March 26, 2009,
we held an open house in Ridgefield, Washington, to gather input on the
preliminary alternatives.
DCCP/EA Alternatives We Are Considering
We identified and evaluated four alternatives for managing the
refuge, including a No Action Alternative (Alternative 1). Brief
descriptions of the alternatives follow.
Alternative 1 (No Action)
Under Alternative 1, the refuge would continue to manage and where
feasible restore habitat for priority species, including dusky Canada
geese, other Canada geese subspecies, cackling geese, other waterfowl,
and Federal and State imperiled listed species. Hunting would continue
on the River `S' Unit's 760-acre hunt area. The 4.3-mile auto tour
route would remain open year round in its current configuration. The
refuge would coordinate with its Friends groups, local educators, and
Tribes to conduct environmental and cultural education and
interpretation programs. This alternative is considered the base from
which to compare the action alternatives.
Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative)
Under Alternative 2, our preferred alternative, the refuge would
continue to protect, maintain, and where feasible, restore habitat for
priority species, including dusky Canada geese, other waterfowl, and
Federal and State imperiled listed species (e.g. sandhill crane). Under
this alternative the refuge would maintain high-quality green forage
for geese in improved pastures
[[Page 34155]]
and wet meadows, and increase the acreage in cropland and wet meadow.
Wetlands would be managed to increase productivity and reduce water
pumping costs. Invasive species and State- and county-listed noxious
weeds would continue to be a primary management concern. Enhancing and
restoring bottomland forest and oak woodland habitats would increase.
We would complete habitat assessments to guide restoration of streams
and tidally influenced wetlands. We would conduct feasibility studies
for reintroducing native species such as Columbian white-tailed deer
and western pond turtle, and inventory and monitoring efforts would
increase. Current public use areas and closures would remain in effect
under Alternative 2. The waterfowl hunt area/location would remain
unchanged. Proposed changes in wetland management would improve the
hunt program's quality over time. A new access point to the River `S'
Unit, including a 2-lane bridge and 1-mile entrance road, would be
developed. The existing auto tour route would be open year round in its
current location; however, the route would be shortened slightly to
provide habitat for dusky Canada geese and cranes. A new 1.5-mile dike-
top walking trail would be constructed. Environmental and cultural
resources education and interpretation programs would increase.
Alternative 3
Under Alternative 3, actions to protect, maintain, and restore
habitat for priority species are the same as under Alternative 2.
Current public use areas and closures would remain in effect. The
waterfowl hunt area/location would remain the same; however, core dusky
habitat on the south end of the River `S' Unit (207 acres) would be
closed to goose hunting. The existing access point to the River `S'
Unit would be retained; a new 2-lane bridge would be constructed to
eliminate the at-grade railroad crossing; and the entrance road would
be widened. Implementation of this alternative would require either
land acquisition or easement relocation/expansion. The existing auto
tour route would remain unchanged. A new 1.5-mile dike-top walking
trail would be constructed. Environmental and cultural resources
education and interpretation programs would increase.
Alternative 4
Under Alternative 4, actions to protect, maintain, and restore
habitat for priority species would be the same as under Alternatives 2
and 3, except slightly more crops would be grown. The total wildlife
sanctuary area (closed to public use) would be slightly less than the
other alternatives; however, this alternative provides the largest
contiguous sanctuary for dusky Canada geese and sandhill cranes on the
south end of the refuge. A new access point to the River `S' Unit,
including a 2-lane bridge and 1-mile entrance road north of the current
access point, would be developed. Closing the south end of the River
`S' Unit to public use during waterfowl and crane migration season, to
benefit dusky Canada geese and sandhill cranes is proposed in this
alternative. The south end of the River `S' Unit (207 acres) would be
closed to hunting, and the south end of the auto tour route would be
closed during waterfowl season (October 1-March 15), which would reduce
its length from 4.3 miles to 2.6 miles during that time. To offset the
loss of hunting opportunities on the south end of the River `S' Unit,
250 acres of Bachelor Island would be opened to waterfowl hunting. The
northern portion of this area would be closed early to hunting (January
15) to prevent disturbance to a great blue heron nesting colony. A new
1.5-mile dike-top walking trail would be constructed. Environmental and
cultural resources education and interpretation programs would
increase.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to the information in ADDRESSES, you can obtain a CD-
ROM copy of the DCCP/EA from the refuge at phone number (360) 887-4106.
Copies may be reviewed at the refuge and on the Internet at http://
www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ridgefield. Printed copies will be
available for review at the following libraries: Ridgefield Community
Library, 210 North Main Ave., Ridgefield, WA 98642; Vancouver Community
Library, 1007 East Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98663; and Multnomah
County Central Library, 801 SW. 10th Ave., Portland, OR 97205.
Next Steps
After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and
address them in the final CCP and decision document.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your identifying information from
the public, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Dated: April 20, 2010.
Carolyn A. Bohan,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2010-14085 Filed 6-15-10; 8:45 am]
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